FaceTime Threat to “Shoot Up” MacDonald Middle School Prompts Police Investigation

A threat to “shoot up” MacDonald Middle School was reported to East Lansing police this weekend, East Lansing Public Schools Superintendent Dori Leyko told MacDonald Middle School parents in an email Sunday.

The threat was made during a group FaceTime call that a MacDonald student was on. The student told their parent, who reported the threat to ELPD. 

“​​We have since spoken directly with the reporting parent and several students who were on the call to gather as much information as possible,” Leyko’s email reads. “Based on what we have learned, the individual who made the threat does not attend school in East Lansing. We have contacted administrators in the district where we believe the student attends; however, at this time, we have not been able to confirm the identity of the individual.”

MacDonald Middle School will be open Monday. ELPD will have an increased presence on campus and will be patrolling near the school during student drop off, according to Leyko’s email. 

East Lansing Info spoke with ELPD Lt. Jeremy Hamilton, who was on duty Sunday evening. He said he is just learning of the threat and ELPD will share information when more is known. This story will be updated if that information becomes available.

School board Trustee Chris Martin told ELi via text that he is optimistic law enforcement will be able to identify the source of the threat. 

“From my experience as a former prosecutor, I know there is usually a digital record – phone number or IP address – of participants on these types of calls,” he said.  “ELPD could write a pretty routine search warrant to ascertain the participants of the call. It would be a little extra work and investigation for them, but it is a common practice. The problem is that we won’t necessarily have an answer before tomorrow morning. Regardless, it seems like a wise step to me. I shared this information and suggestion with our District’s leadership, but I do not have any information on the District’s communications with ELPD or the status of the investigation.”